Cleaning cloth apparatus and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A cleaning cloth apparatus and method therefore capable of being coupled to an article of clothing, such as a hat, necktie, jacket lab coat or the like at one end so that the other end can be used to clean a pair of glasses or other glass-type surface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to cleaning cloths and, more specifically, to a cleaning cloth attachment and method therefor capable of being attached to an article of clothing for easy access to allow the user to clean eyeglasses and other glass-type surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is often the case that those wearing glasses frequently have the need to remove their glasses and clean them. Removing one's glasses from his or her head is often necessary when the glasses become dirty, foggy or wet. Preferably, a specially designed glass-cleaning cloth is used so as not to scratch the glasses or otherwise leave lint or particles that may obstruct one's vision. Glasses wearers often are forced to carry around such an extra cloth, which is inconvenient and can lead to the cloth becoming dirty, thus negating its very purpose. Alternatively, many glasses wearers will simply use a portion of their shirt, blouse, jacket, tie or some other portion of clothing that they are wearing to attempt to clean their glasses. Unfortunately, clothing lacks the attributes of a proper glass-cleaning cloth and could even scratch the glass surface.

This invention addresses this problem by providing a glass-cleaning cloth having an attachment mechanism capable of being attached to an article of clothing, thus enabling a glasses wearer to have convenient and constant access to a glass-cleaning cloth without the need to have to remember to bring one along or keep it in a pocket that could cause it to become dirty.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning cloth apparatus having the ability to be attached to an article of clothing at one end while a portion of the other end is capable of being used to clean a glass surface, such as eyeglasses.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for cleaning glass-type surfaces whereby a user attaches one end of a glass-cleaning cloth to an article of clothing and uses a portion of the other end to clean a glass surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a cleaning cloth apparatus is disclosed, comprising, in combination, a cleaning cloth having a first end and a second end, and an attachment mechanism coupled to the first end of the cleaning cloth and dimensioned to couple the first end of the cleaning cloth to an article of clothing so that the first end of the cleaning cloth being secured to the article of clothing while at least a portion of the second end of the cleaning cloth being unsecured and capable of cleaning a glass-type surface while the first end of the cleaning cloth remaining secured to the article of clothing.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for cleaning glass-type surfaces is disclosed, comprising, in combination, the steps of providing a cleaning cloth having a first end and a second end, providing an attachment mechanism coupled to the first end of the cleaning cloth, coupling the first end of the cleaning cloth to an article of clothing so that the first end of the cleaning cloth being secured to the article of clothing while the second end of the cleaning cloth being unsecured, and cleaning a glass-type surface with at least a portion of the second end of the cleaning cloth while the first end of the cleaning cloth reaming secured to the article of clothing.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cleaning cloth apparatus of the present invention, showing the cleaning cloth, in shadow, attached to an interior portion of a hat.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the cleaning cloth apparatus of FIG. 1, showing one end of the cleaning cloth attached to an interior portion of the hat while the second end of the cleaning cloth is stored proximate the interior portion of the hat.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the cleaning cloth apparatus of FIG. 1, showing one end of the cleaning cloth attached to an interior portion of the hat while the second end of the cleaning cloth being free of the hat and used to clean a pair of eyeglasses.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the glass cleaning cloth apparatus of the present invention showing one end of the cleaning cloth attached to an interior portion of a necktie while the second end of the cleaning cloth is stored proximate the bottom end of the necktie.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the glass cleaning cloth apparatus of FIG. 4, showing one end of the cleaning cloth attached to an interior portion of the necktie while the second end of the cleaning cloth being free of the necktie and used to clean a pair of eyeglasses.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the glass cleaning cloth apparatus of the present invention, showing one end of the cleaning cloth attached to an interior portion of a jacket while the second end of the cleaning cloth being free of the jacket and used to clean a pair of eyeglasses.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the glass cleaning cloth apparatus of FIG. 6, showing the cleaning cloth, in shadow, attached to an interior portion of the jacket.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the glass cleaning cloth apparatus of the present invention, showing one end of the cleaning cloth attached to an exterior portion of a lab coat while the second end of the cleaning cloth being free of the lab coat and used to clean a pair of eyeglasses.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the glass cleaning cloth apparatus of the present invention, showing one end of the cleaning cloth attached to an interior portion of a lab coat while the second end of the cleaning cloth being free of the interior portion of the lab coat and used to clean a pair of eyeglasses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals and symbols represent like elements.

Referring to FIGS. 1-9, various embodiments of a cleaning cloth apparatus, referred to generically as cleaning cloth apparatus 10, are disclosed. The cleaning cloth apparatus 10 comprises a cleaning cloth 12 having a first end 14 and a second end 16. Preferably, the cleaning cloth 12 is a terry cloth or microfiber, but it should be clear that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the cleaning cloth 12 is comprised of an alternative material, so long as that material is capable of cleaning a glass-type surface, such as eyeglasses 13 (shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6-9). The cleaning cloth apparatus 10 further comprises an attachment mechanism 18 (shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 7 and 9) coupled to the first end 14 of the cleaning cloth 12. The attachment mechanism 18 is dimensioned to couple the first end 14 of the cleaning cloth 12 to an article of clothing, referred to generically as article of clothing 20, such as a hat 20 a (shown in FIGS. 1-3), a tie 20 b (shown in FIGS. 4-5), a jacket 20 c (shown in FIGS. 6-7), or a lab coat 20 d (shown in FIG. 8-9). While, in the preferred embodiment, the article of clothing 20 is a hat 20 a, a tie 20 b, a jacket 20 c and a lab coat 20 d, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which other articles of clothing 20 are used, such as pants, belts, shorts, etc. In the preferred embodiment, the attachment mechanism 18, is an adhesive strip that is coupled along the first end 14 of the cleaning cloth 12 and is dimensioned to secure the first end 14 of the cleaning cloth 12 to the article of clothing 20 so that at least a portion of the second end 16 of the cleaning cloth 12 is unsecured and capable of cleaning a glass-type surface while the first end 14 of the cleaning cloth 12 remains secured to the article of clothing 20. While, in the preferred embodiment, the attachment mechanism 18 is an adhesive strip, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the attachment mechanism 18 is not an adhesive strip, but some other securing mechanism, such as hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons or the like so long as the first end 14 of the cleaning cloth 12 can be secured to the article of clothing 20 while the second end 16 of the cleaning cloth 12 can be free to clean a glass-type surface.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a first embodiment of the cleaning cloth apparatus 10, hereinafter referred to as cleaning cloth apparatus 10 a, is shown. In this embodiment, the article of clothing 20 is a hat 20 a and the cleaning cloth 12 is substantially semi-circular shaped with the first end 14 being coupled along to an interior portion of the hat 20 a. In this way, a user could wear the cleaning cloth 12 inside the interior area of the hat 20 a while wearing the hat 20 a and then remove the hat 20 a and deploy the second end 16 of the cleaning cloth 12 to clean a glass-type surface, such as eyeglasses 13. Referring specifically to FIG. 2, the attachment mechanism 18 is shown having a tacky surface for adhering the cleaning cloth 12 to an interior portion of the hat 20 a.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-5, a second embodiment of the cleaning cloth apparatus 10, hereinafter referred to as cleaning cloth apparatus 10 b, is shown. In this embodiment, the article of clothing 20 is a necktie 20 b and the cleaning cloth 12 has a shape that is substantially similar to a bottom portion of a necktie 20 b so that the first end 14 of the cleaning cloth 12 can be secured preferably inside an interior area of the back of the necktie 20 b with the second end 16 of the cleaning cloth 12 substantially conforming to and resting freely against the substantially triangular bottom end of the necktie 20 b. In this way, a user could wear the cleaning cloth 12 along the back of that person's necktie 20 b out of view while wearing the necktie 20 b and then flip around the necktie 20 b to reveal the cleaning cloth 12 and deploy the second end 16 of the cleaning cloth 12 to clean a glass-type surface, such as eyeglasses 13. Referring specifically to FIG. 4, the attachment mechanism 18 is shown having a tacky surface for adhering the cleaning cloth 12 to an interior portion of the back surface of the necktie 20 b.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-7, a third embodiment of the cleaning cloth apparatus 10, hereinafter referred to as cleaning cloth apparatus 10 c, is shown. In this embodiment, the article of clothing 20 is a jacket 20 c and the cleaning cloth 12 is substantially rectangular so that the first end 14 of the cleaning cloth 12 can be secured preferably inside an interior area of the jacket 20 c with the second end 16 of the cleaning cloth 12 hangs freely against an interior area of the jacket 20 c. In this way, a user could wear the cleaning cloth 12 along the interior area of that person's jacket 20 c out of view while wearing the jacket 20 c and then reach into the interior area of the jacket 20 c to deploy the second end 16 of the cleaning cloth 12 to clean a glass-type surface, such as eyeglasses 13. Referring specifically to FIG. 7, the attachment mechanism 18 is shown having a tacky surface for adhering the cleaning cloth 12 to an interior portion of the jacket 20 c.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-9, a fourth embodiment of the cleaning cloth apparatus 10, hereinafter referred to as cleaning cloth apparatus 10 d, is shown. In this embodiment, the article of clothing 20 is a lab coat 20 d and the cleaning cloth 12 is substantially rectangular so that the first end 14 of the cleaning cloth 12 can be secured preferably inside an interior area of the lab coat 20 d with the second end 16 of the cleaning cloth 12 hangs freely against an interior area of the lab coat 20 d. In this way, a user could wear the cleaning cloth 12 along the interior area of that person's lab coat 20 d out of view while wearing the lab coat 20 d and then reach into the interior area of the lab coat 20 d to deploy the second end 16 of the cleaning cloth 12 to clean a glass-type surface, such as eyeglasses 13. Referring specifically to FIG. 9, the attachment mechanism 18 is shown having a tacky surface for adhering the cleaning cloth 12 to an interior portion of the lab coat 20 d.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A cleaning cloth apparatus comprising, in combination: a cleaning cloth having a first end and a second end; and an attachment mechanism coupled to said first end of said cleaning cloth and dimensioned to couple said first end of said cleaning cloth to an article of clothing so that said first end of said cleaning cloth being secured to said article of clothing while at least a portion of said second end of said cleaning cloth being unsecured and capable of cleaning a glass-type surface while said first end of said cleaning cloth remaining secured to said article of clothing.
 2. The cleaning cloth apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cleaning cloth being a terry cloth.
 3. The cleaning cloth apparatus of claim 1 wherein said attachment mechanism comprises an adhesive strip for securing said first end of said cleaning cloth to said article of clothing, said adhesive strip being coupled along an end of said cleaning cloth.
 4. The cleaning cloth apparatus of claim 3 wherein said adhesive strip further comprises: a tacky surface for adhering said cleaning cloth to said article of clothing; and a removable backing strip, said backing strip being coupled to said tacky surface of said adhesive strip so as to protect said tacky surface prior to use of said adhesive strip.
 5. The cleaning cloth apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cleaning cloth being substantially rectangular.
 6. The cleaning cloth apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cleaning cloth having a shape substantially similar to a bottom portion of a standard necktie.
 7. The cleaning cloth apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cleaning cloth being substantially semi-circular in shape and dimensioned to be coupled to an interior portion of a hat.
 8. The cleaning cloth apparatus of claim 1 wherein said glass-type surface being eyeglasses.
 9. The cleaning cloth apparatus of claim 1 wherein said article of clothing being one of a jacket, a hat, a tie and a lab coat.
 10. A method for cleaning glass-type surfaces comprising, in combination, the steps of: providing a cleaning cloth having a first end and a second end; providing an attachment mechanism coupled to said first end of said cleaning cloth; coupling said first end of said cleaning cloth to an article of clothing so that said first end of said cleaning cloth being secured to said article of clothing while said second end of said cleaning cloth being unsecured; and cleaning a glass-type surface with at least a portion of said second end of said cleaning cloth while said first end of said cleaning cloth reaming secured to said article of clothing.
 11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of: providing a tacky surface coupled to said first end of said cleaning cloth; providing a removable backing strip, said backing strip being coupled to said tacky surface of said adhesive strip so as to protect said tacky surface prior to use of said adhesive strip; removing said removable backing strip from said first end of said cleaning cloth; and pressing said first end of said cleaning cloth to an article of clothing until said first end being secured to said article of clothing.
 12. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of: providing a cleaning cloth having a shape substantially similar to a bottom portion of a necktie; inserting said first end of said cleaning cloth into an open bottom end of a necktie; securing said first end of said cleaning cloth to a substantially interior open bottom end of said necktie; and removing said second end of said cleaning cloth to clean a glass-type surface.
 13. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of: providing a cleaning cloth being substantially semi-circular in shape; inserting said first end of said cleaning cloth into an interior area of a hat; securing said first end of said cleaning cloth to said interior area of said hat; and removing said second end of said cleaning cloth to clean a glass-type surface.
 14. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of wrapping said cleaning cloth around both sides of a eyeglasses so as to simultaneously clean both sides of said eyeglasses. 